Switching phones used to be the worst part of buying a new one. You’d download an app, plug in a cable you couldn’t find, and still end up typing in every password by hand.
That’s over. If you want to transfer data from iPhone to Android now, it’s built right into the phone. No app, no cable, no hunting through settings. Android 17 rebuilt the whole thing, and Google actually worked with Apple to do it — so it moves a lot more than it used to.
Here’s exactly how it works, what comes across, and the one setting you must not forget.
What’s Different in 2026
The old way needed the Switch to Android app from the App Store. It worked, but iOS restrictions meant plenty of your stuff got left behind unless you used a cable — and even then, some things just didn’t make it.
The new version is built into Android 17 and into iOS itself. Nothing to download. And because Apple and Google built it together, it can reach data the old tool never could.
There’s a nice bit of background here too. The EU’s Digital Markets Act pushed both companies to make switching between platforms easier, which is why this suddenly got so much better after years of barely changing.
Note: This guide covers the new built-in method. If your phone isn’t supported yet, don’t worry — there’s a section near the bottom for you.
What You Need Before You Start
Quick checklist. All three need to be true.
- Your iPhone needs iOS 26.3 or later. Check in Settings → General → Software Update.
- Your Android phone needs Android 17, and it needs to be one of the supported models. Right now that’s Pixel 8 and newer, plus the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, which handle it through Smart Switch. More phones are getting it, but Google hasn’t given a full timeline.
- Your Android phone needs to be at the setup screen. This runs during first-time setup. Already set your phone up? You’ll need to factory reset it to get back there.
Charge both phones while you’re at it. The transfer can take a while if you’ve got a lot of photos.
Tip: Do this somewhere you’ll be sitting still for half an hour. Both phones need to stay near each other the whole time, so it’s not something to start on your way out the door.
What Actually Transfers
This is the part that surprised people. The list got a lot longer.
Your stuff:
- Photos and videos
- Contacts
- Messages — SMS, MMS, RCS and your iMessage history, with media and stickers intact
- Call history
- Calendar events, including attachments
- Files and folders
- Apple Notes, with attachments and labels
Your accounts and settings:
- Your Google Account, so you land on the new phone already signed in
- Passwords — if you use Apple Passwords, they move into Google Password Manager automatically
- Passkeys
- Wi-Fi credentials, so you don’t reconnect to every network again
- Your eSIM
- Your home screen layout and wallpaper
- Your apps
That last group is what makes this feel different. Passwords, Wi-Fi and eSIM were always the tedious part of switching.
How to Transfer Data from iPhone to Android: Step by Step
Grab both phones and let’s go.
Steps:
- Turn on your new Android phone and start the setup
- Pick your language and connect to Wi-Fi
- When it asks how you want to set up, choose Copy data from an iPhone (wording varies slightly by brand)
- A QR code appears on the Android screen
- Open the Camera app on your iPhone and point it at the QR code
- Tap the notification that pops up on your iPhone
- Follow the prompts to pair the two phones
- Choose which data types you want to bring across — or just take everything
- Put both phones down side by side and leave them alone
- Wait for the completion screen
That’s it. Depending on how much you’re moving, it takes anywhere from ten minutes to an hour.
Tip: Don’t pick up either phone while it’s running. Moving them apart or locking them can interrupt the transfer, and starting over is a pain.
Moving Your eSIM Across
Once your data’s done, you’ll get a prompt to move your eSIM. This is the bit that used to mean a phone call to your carrier.
Steps:
- Tap the eSIM transfer prompt when it appears
- Confirm on your iPhone
- Wait for your new phone to activate the line
- Check you’ve got signal before you go any further
One heads-up: this depends on your carrier. Most support it now, but not all of them do. If it doesn’t work, ring your carrier and they’ll sort it out — usually in a couple of minutes.
Turn Off iMessage (Don’t Skip This)
This is the one that catches people out. If you leave iMessage on, other iPhone users keep sending messages to your old phone, and you’ll never see them. People will think you’re ignoring them.
Steps:
- On your iPhone, open Settings
- Tap Apps
- Tap Messages
- Turn iMessage off
Do this while you still have the iPhone in your hand. It’s much more awkward to fix once you’ve sold it or put it in a drawer.
Tip: Already got rid of the iPhone? Apple has a deregister page you can use with just your phone number. Search for “deregister iMessage” and it’s the first result on apple.com.
What Doesn’t Come Across
Being upfront about this saves you a nasty surprise later.
- Apps themselves. Android reinstalls the Android versions of your apps, but anything iOS-only won’t have an equivalent.
- Paid apps. You’ve bought them on the App Store, so you’d be buying again on Google Play.
- App data for third-party apps. WhatsApp, banking apps and games mostly need their own backup and restore. WhatsApp has a built-in transfer during setup — use it when prompted.
- Apple subscriptions. Apple Music and iCloud keep billing you until you cancel them in your Apple account.
- AirDrop, FaceTime and iCloud Photos. These stay on Apple’s side. Google Photos handles your pictures once they’re across.
If Your Phone Isn’t Supported Yet
Not on a Pixel 8 or a new Samsung foldable? You’re not stuck. The older method still works fine.
Steps:
- Download Switch to Android from the App Store on your iPhone, or use your brand’s own app — Smart Switch for Samsung, OnePlus Switch for OnePlus
- Start setup on your Android phone and choose to copy data
- Follow the prompts to connect the two phones
- Pick what you want to move
You’ll still get photos, contacts, messages and calendars. What you’ll miss is the newer stuff — passwords, Wi-Fi credentials and eSIM, which you’ll set up by hand.
Google says more Android phones are getting the new method soon, so it’s worth checking again if you’re not in a rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data from iPhone to Android without an app? Yes. Android 17 has the transfer built in, so there’s nothing to download. You’ll need an iPhone on iOS 26.3 or later and a supported Android phone, currently Pixel 8 and newer or the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.
How long does it take to transfer data from iPhone to Android? Usually between ten minutes and an hour. It depends mostly on how many photos and videos you’ve got. Keep both phones charged and sitting next to each other while it runs.
Will my iMessages transfer to Android? Yes, your iMessage history moves across with media and stickers included. Just remember to turn iMessage off on your iPhone afterwards, or people will keep messaging your old phone.
Do my apps transfer from iPhone to Android? Android reinstalls the Android versions of your apps where they exist. Anything iOS-only won’t have an equivalent, and apps you paid for on the App Store need buying again on Google Play.
Can I transfer my eSIM from iPhone to Android? Usually, yes. You’ll get a prompt once the data transfer finishes. It does depend on your carrier though, so if it fails, give them a call and they’ll activate it for you.
What if I already set up my Android phone? The transfer only runs during first-time setup, so you’d need to factory reset the phone to use it. If that’s too much hassle, move your photos and contacts through your Google Account instead.
Will my WhatsApp chats transfer? Not through the main transfer. WhatsApp has its own transfer tool that appears during setup — use that when it prompts you, because doing it afterwards is much harder.
Do I need a cable? No. The whole thing runs wirelessly now, and wired transfers don’t move any more data than wireless ones do. Use a cable only if your Wi-Fi is unreliable.
Also Read
- Samsung Android 17 Update: Full List of Eligible Phones
- Android 17 Battery Drain? 9 Fixes That Actually Work
- More Tips & Tricks
- Google’s Official Switch to Android Page
Arslan Jaffar is a mobile tech writer and the founder of Screenshot Geek, a resource covering 500+ Android and iOS devices. He writes step-by-step screenshot guides, troubleshooting fixes, tips and tricks, top device lists, and the latest news in the smartphone world. With a focus on making technology simple and accessible, Arslan helps thousands of users get the most out of their phones — from finding the right button combo to mastering hidden features most people don’t know exist.